Low clearance dual-screen particle sorter

Abstract

An apparatus for sorting particles of a material such as concrete. The apparatus includes a frame and a drive assembly attached to the frame to induce gyroscopic vibratory motion of the frame in a selected rotational direction. Adjacent first and second inclined screens are affixed to the frame. The screens slope downwardly away from an intermediate ridge at different, respective first and second angles. Material dropped onto the intermediate ridge separates into a first stream which passes along the first inclined screen and a second stream which passes along the second inclined screen. The first and second angles are selected in relation to the vibratory motion of the frame so that the first and second streams each move at substantially the same velocity. A diverter member at the intermediate ridge aids in the transition of material flow along the respective screens.

1. An apparatus for sorting particles of a material, comprising:
 a frame;  
 a drive assembly attached to the frame to induce gyroscopic vibratory motion of the frame in a selected rotational direction;  
 adjacent first and second inclined screens affixed to the frame, the screens each sloping downwardly away from an intermediate ridge, wherein the first inclined screen extends at a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane and the second inclined screen extends at a different, second angle with respect to the horizontal plane;  
 wherein material dropped onto the intermediate ridge separates into a first stream passing along the first inclined screen and a second stream passing along the second inclined screen;  
 wherein the first and second angles are selected in relation to the vibratory motion of the frame so that the first and second streams each move at substantially the same velocity along the respective first and second inclined screens; and  
 wherein the intermediate ridge comprises a diverter member with opposing first and second radiused surfaces to transition the flow of the material from an initial substantially vertical flow into the respective first and second streams.  
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second inclined screens each have a plurality of screen apertures of selected size so that particles within the first and second streams smaller than the selected size pass through the screen apertures and particles larger than the selected size traverse the respective lengths of the first and second inclined screens. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stand which supports the frame.